The Garnet Valley High School Orchestra Program gives student musicians the opportunity to make expressive music, strengthen their skills, and perform as part of a dedicated ensemble. Through rehearsals, concerts, and shared experiences, students develop as individual players while discovering the satisfaction of creating something larger together.

Orchestra is about much more than playing an instrument. Students perform beautiful and exciting music, spend time with friends, travel to performances and events, and take part in experiences that create lasting memories. Along the way, they build confidence, teamwork, leadership, resilience, and friendships that extend far beyond the rehearsal room and performance stage.
 

Our Core Classes
 

ORCHESTRA and CHAMBER ORCHESTRA are at the heart of the GVHS Orchestra Program. These curricular classes meet during the school day and give students regular opportunities to develop instrumental technique, musicianship, and ensemble performance skills.
 

ORCHESTRA is our regular-level curricular ensemble for students in grades 9–12 with basic proficiency on an orchestral instrument. Students perform a wide variety of orchestral concert music while building instrumental technique, music-reading skills, music theory knowledge, and an understanding of music history. Orchestra presents a major concert each semester, along with other performance opportunities throughout the year.

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA is our honors-performing ensemble for students in grades 10–12 who successfully complete an audition. Students perform advanced orchestral repertoire while further developing instrumental technique, music theory, music history, and musicianship. Chamber Orchestra presents a major concert each semester, along with additional performances and opportunities as they become available.

Beyond the Classroom

Growing out of these core classes, students can take part in additional ensembles, leadership experiences, and honors opportunities.
 

SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA brings together string players with wind and percussion students to perform full orchestral music. The ensemble rehearses during Learn periods, with occasional rehearsals during class time.

SMALL ENSEMBLES give students additional opportunities to rehearse, perform, and share their music in the community.

HONORS AND FESTIVAL OPPORTUNITIES include opportunities such as Delaware County Youth Orchestra and PMEA festivals. Orchestra students may also take part in student leadership positions, field trips, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and community performances.

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Questions or want to get involved? Contact our Orchestra Director Mrs. Jenna Burke at burkej@garnetvalley.org

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